Travel Briefs

Newest entrant to the hotel scene in is the McCausland Hotel, Victoria Street

Newest entrant to the hotel scene in is the McCausland Hotel, Victoria Street. A sister property to the Hibernian Hotel in Dublin, the McCausland is a landmark building in the commercial heart of Belfast. Celebrating the revival of the Laganside area, the McCausland is only a short stroll from the Waterfront Hall. A special opening rate of £95 sterling per room, bed and breakfast is available. You can book on (0801232) 220 200.

Alan Lynch Travel has some special new year short break offers with Cityjet from Dublin. Two nights in London will cost from £130. When you fly with Cityjet to London City airport you get a terrific view of the Millennium Dome. Football fans will love the Midland cities packages. Two nights in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Coventry and Stoke cost from £111 per person.

Paris for a weekend will cost from £183, and the four-star Alay Hotel in Malaga for a three-night break will cost from £354. Details from (01) 670 8877.

Buying from the comfort of your own home has become a reality for travel. Travel Direct 1850 707144) is a telesales operation who sell flights, car hire and insurance over the telephone. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. you can call them from anywhere in Ireland for 12p. They are offering discount fares worldwide. For example, New York £250, Sydney £750, Bangkok £450, Chicago £199. They also have special rates for car hire and insurance.

READ MORE

Scandinavian Seaways is to continue their successful free travel offer to

Britain again this year. Any bookings for week-long holidays from Harwich and Newcastle to northern Europe Scandinavia will receive free travel on Stena Line to Holyhead and Fishguard. Holidays with Scandinavian Seaways are ideal for families and groups of friends. The selection includes hotels, country cottages, holiday centres, theme parks, farms, inns, castles, camping, apartments and inns in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Belgium and Germany. Holiday prices are very reasonable, particularly for families. You can get a Scandinavian Seaways brochure from your local travel agent or from Stena Line on (01) 204 7777.

Has the recent cold snap made you long for the sun? Panorama has some late availability for January to Tunisia, Morocco and Madeira. Half board in Tunisia in a three-star hotel costs from £269 per person sharing on January 23rd. Also on January 23rd half board in a three-star in Morocco from £349 and half board in a four-star from £399. In Madeira, home of the wine and the cake, on January 28th there is some availability for three, four and five-star hotels, starting at £339. Special offers include free golf and free entry to the casino. Details from your local ITAA travel agents.

Topflight, Ireland's leading ski tour operator, has joined forces with Today FM to bring skiers the latest news and weather forecasts from the key ski resorts in Europe . Every Friday at 8.50 a.m. tune in to the Breakfast Show on Today FM to hear Ian Dempsey read the Ski Spot.